Letter by father of Hossein Ronaghi to Tehran’s Chief Prosecutor

In a letter to the Chief Prosecutor, father of ailing activist and blogger Hossein Ronaghi Maleki addressed his son’s medical situation behind bars.

Committee of Human Rights Reporters - Hossein Ronaghi who was detained in 2009 following the disputed presidential election results has since suffered serious health issues as a result of the torture he endured in prison. Behind bars Ronaghi was inflicted with multiple ailments, went through seven operations and lost function in one kidney. In very poor health, he was released on medical furlough in September 2014. On February 28, 2015 he was without warning or legal explanation ordered back behind bars to serve his remaining 15-year sentence. He is now held in Ward 7 of Tehran’s Evin prison.

With over a month since his last transfer to prison, Hossein Ronaghi has been deprived of his medication and has not received any medical treatment, resulting in the further deterioration of his health.

Following is the letter provided to CHRR, written to the Chief Prosecutor by Ahmad Ronaghi Maleki regarding his ailing son’s medical situation.

April 6, 2015

Honorable Chief Prosecutor of the Public and Tehran Revolutionary Court, Mr. Jafari Dolatabadi,

Greetings,

Without consulting us authorities are planning on transferring my son Hossein Ronaghi to Shohadaye Tajrish Educational Hospital and I cannot allow my son to be taken to this medical facility without being accompanied by us.

We are concerned that officials might prescribe treatments and inject Hossein with medications that further endanger his health and they could have plans to end Hossein’s life in this manner. I have informed prison officials along with the Prison Inspections Agency and Mrs. Hassani at the Office of Prosecution Follow-Ups that Shohadaye Tajrish is a teaching hospital with no specialty in kidney treatment.

I have asked in the past that they not transfer my son Hossein to any hospital without my permission. I must be updated about my son’s medical situation and be involved in the decisions made pertaining to his health. Since my son needs hospitalization again, it is imperative that I follow-up in a speedy manner in order to prevent what happened last time in the hands of officials resulting in my son losing function in one of his kidneys.

During the past month Hossein’s transfer to a medical facility has been prohibited and he has not been given any of his medication, resulting in his health plunging further. Now that Hossein’s health has worsened as a direct result of the actions of certain officials, they want to take him to the teaching center of Shohadaye Tajrish Educational Hospital, a facility with no expertise in Hossein’s condition.

Last time he was taken to Baqiyatallah Hospital, physicians had made recommendations for Hossein to be hospitalized and undergo surgery, and documents for his treatment were available. But unfortunately we were not informed of this and everything was concealed from us, leading to Hossein losing function in one kidney. The officials involved were directly responsible for worsening Hossein’s physical condition.

I have contacted the Prosecutor’s office, the Prisons Inspection Agency, and prison authorities and told them I will not allow my child to be admitted to Shohadaye Tajrish Hospital. They must let us know when they plan on transferring Hossein to a hospital so that we can be by his side. For we do not trust some of the officials and if we are not present they could use the opportunity to get rid of Hossein.

My request from the honorable Prosecutor is for a speedy inquiry in order to prevent further endangerment of my son’s life, and for an end to his incarceration as soon as possible.

Seyed Ahmad Ronaghi Maleki

Father of political prisoner, Hossein Ronaghi Maleki